Scotland 2017 6N debrief and Lions/Summer Tour lookahead

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Results

Scotland 27 - Ireland 22
France 22 - Scotland 16  
Scotland 29 - Wales 13  
England 61 - Scotland 21  
Scotland 29 - Italy 0  

Some stats:

- First time with 3 wins since 2006
- First opening round win and win over Wales in over a decade
- 14 tries scored - our best ever
- Our highest points tally (in 2014 we scored 45 points   )
- Up to 5th in the World Rankings


Verdict
Bar Twickenham this was a fantastic 6N where we won our games playing great rugby.  It was a huge monkey off our back to beat Wales and the Ireland game was a huge result for us.  The Twickenham game was a complete embarrassment but I'd like to think that was a freak result for this team as opposed to a sign that our wins over Wales and Ireland were 'lucky'.  It should keep the players grounded going forward, which is no bad thing.

All in all I'll give our 6N a 8/10

Lions hopefuls?

Pr - can't see any travelling
H Fraser Brown stands an outside chance, and could be injury cover
L - Jonny or Richie Gray stand a chance in the most competitive position
BR - I don't see any of our backrows going
SH - Laidlaw is down the list in terms of ability at 9 but may be picked as a good tourist/leader for the squad
FH - Finn Russell certainly divides opinion but personally I don't think he will travel
C - Dunbar and Jones are outside bets in what isn't actually a great position of depth for the Lions, but again may find themselves as injury cover
FR - Hogg is a near certainty and I can see another winger getting picked, probably Seymour

My prediction:

J Gray, Hogg, Seymour in the squad, Brown, Laidlaw and Jones as first choice injury cover.

EWT Spoons wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:From an Edinburgh perspective we have a few youngsters who could really benefit: Bradbury, Ritchie, Hoyland and Kinghorn could all certainly benefit. Hopefully Sutherland will be fit as well. Dell has done a decent job in his absence and I think Sutherland needs to perform well to re-establish himself above Dell in the pecking order.

Forgot about Ritchie, his form does seem to have improved of late and could be in with a shout of going along.

Prior to injury Sutherland looked like he could be a very good player and a case could have been made that he should be starting ahead of Dickinson for Edinburgh, I really hope this injury doesn't set him back too much.

I really like Ritchie at 7, despite him being more in the build of a classic 6. Every time I've seen him play at 7 he's performed better. He's actually worked really hard on his breakdown work and is pretty fearless going over the ball.

Agreed on Sutherland. He and Fagerson look to have the best potential to be Scotland's props over the long term. Still, I'm a big fan of players being forced to earn opportunities and Dell deserves respect for his work so far. Dell is a workhorse in the loose.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:From an Edinburgh perspective we have a few youngsters who could really benefit: Bradbury, Ritchie, Hoyland and Kinghorn could all certainly benefit. Hopefully Sutherland will be fit as well. Dell has done a decent job in his absence and I think Sutherland needs to perform well to re-establish himself above Dell in the pecking order.

Forgot about Ritchie, his form does seem to have improved of late and could be in with a shout of going along.

Prior to injury Sutherland looked like he could be a very good player and a case could have been made that he should be starting ahead of Dickinson for Edinburgh, I really hope this injury doesn't set him back too much.

I really like Ritchie at 7, despite him being more in the build of a classic 6. Every time I've seen him play at 7 he's performed better. He's actually worked really hard on his breakdown work and is pretty fearless going over the ball.

Agreed on Sutherland. He and Fagerson look to have the best potential to be Scotland's props over the long term. Still, I'm a big fan of players being forced to earn opportunities and Dell deserves respect for his work so far. Dell is a workhorse in the loose.

yeah I agree on Ritchie.  Last season under Solomons he was getting in the side and didn't really seem to justify it.  This season he has come on brilliantly and playing at 7 seems to suit him, plus there are worse players to learn from than Watson and Hardie.

Agree on Dell, I really like him coming off the bench given his energy and as you say his work in the loose.  He offers something different from a traditional prop, not sure how happy he is with that role though, as I suspect he would probably like to start games rather than being a bench option.  He's also still incredibly young for a prop at 25, so plenty of years ahead of him.

With Sutherland (23) and Fagerson (21) our front row is looking pretty good for the next few years, of course assuming they avoid injury and continue to progress.

I wonder if Blake might be in with a shout of touring now he's back in the frame and playing with the 7s?

News alert: just when you thought that playing Italy again so soon couldn't be more pointless, they go & stick the game in Singapore http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2017/03/465520.html

Kyodo wrote:The tour marks former flyhalf Gregor Townsend's debut as head coach of Scotland, who will be understrength as some of their first-choice players will be away with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Kyodo wrote:The tour marks former flyhalf Gregor Townsend's debut as head coach of Scotland, who will be understrength as some of their first-choice players will be away with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand.

They don't understand the depth we now have in Scottish rugby, like Grant Gilchrist (for J Gray), Duncan Weir (for F Russell), Lee Jones (for T Seymour) and Peter Murchie (for S Hogg).

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Kyodo wrote:The tour marks former flyhalf Gregor Townsend's debut as head coach of Scotland, who will be understrength as some of their first-choice players will be away with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand.

They don't understand the depth we now have in Scottish rugby, like Grant Gilchrist (for J Gray), Duncan Weir (for F Russell), Lee Jones (for T Seymour) and Peter Murchie (for S Hogg).

And S Lamont (for Wing, Centre, Back Row, Waterboy and FES reserve butler)

R!skysports wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Kyodo wrote:The tour marks former flyhalf Gregor Townsend's debut as head coach of Scotland, who will be understrength as some of their first-choice players will be away with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand.

They don't understand the depth we now have in Scottish rugby, like Grant Gilchrist (for J Gray), Duncan Weir (for F Russell), Lee Jones (for T Seymour) and Peter Murchie (for S Hogg).

And S Lamont (for Wing, Centre, Back Row, Waterboy and FES reserve butler)

I was reading Sean Lamont's statement to the press the other day announcing his retirement at the end of the season. He was self-deprecating and even admitted to having lost his now legendary pace. He also noted that even in his prime he wouldn't get into the current Scotland set-up. I actually think he's being harsh on himself making that last statement. I think Sean Lamont circa 2006 would in fact be a strong challenge to Maitland and Visser for that wing slot (assuming Seymour takes the other). We never really saw Lamont function in an attacking Scotland side, or have the same sort of quality ball that has been afforded to Visser and Maitland. His tries tended to be short runs to crash over the line, and he never got the sort of open space and one-on-one collisions that might have seen him more highly rated.

Anyway, I digress. What's more important is to correct R!sky: one refers to a "reserve butler" as an under butler.

The summer tour to Aus should be interesting if Russell is taken to the Lions but 1 test against the hosts is a joke. Horne, Jackson or Weir though is an ugly contest.

Italy and Fiji(?) we should blood Toolis, Berghan (starting a match), Rae, Allan, Cummings and Kinghorn. All of them have international futures and are competing hard for a spot (well Kinghorn by default of there being only 2 full backs ahead of him who could both be on a Lions tour).

Hazel Sapling wrote:The summer tour to Aus should be interesting if Russell is taken to the Lions but 1 test against the hosts is a joke. Horne, Jackson or Weir though is an ugly contest.

Italy and Fiji(?) we should blood Toolis, Berghan (starting a match), Rae, Allan, Cummings and Kinghorn. All of them have international futures and are competing hard for a spot (well Kinghorn by default of there being only 2 full backs ahead of him who could both be on a Lions tour).

It's absolutely no contest for me. Jackson is miles ahead, and the most similar player to Russell.

We should certainly see Ben Toolis in Scotland colours over the summer, although I think Allan will be lucky. He'll need all of Dickinson, Sutherland and Dell not to make it. Personally I'd like to see Sutherland back in action. Pre-injury he was looking every bit as promising as young Fagerson.

Hoyland would go straight onto the right wing for me in place of Seymour (assuming he becomes a Lion). I'd have Maitland at 15 and Visser on the other wing. The contest in the centres is potentially the most interesting. I don't think Dunbar will be a Lion so I'd have him at 12, but with Jones out of action the 13 jersey could go one of three ways with Bennett, Taylor and Scott all in contention. You could even pick two and have Bennett on the right wing.

We'll need a reserve 15 for Maitland, and I'd say that Kinghorn has an excellent chance of going as cover.

Laidlaw hoping to be back.

Injury wasn't as bad as first feared....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39420400

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Laidlaw hoping to be back.

Injury wasn't as bad as first feared....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39420400

The article says he'll be "back in time for this summer's tour of Australia". Shouldn't it say "New Zealand".....

Mmmmmmmmmm.

But he's the bacteria on the sht on the bottom of World Class Webb's shoe.

reserve 10

We don't really have one and assuming Russell doesn't go on the lions ( I don't think he should) why put Weir on the bench - he is only getting on if Russell is injured. surely we would be better with Horne on the bench ( who I think should be groomed for scotland reserve 10) as he can cover more places in the backs or have Hogg ready to step into ten if Russell is injured

Weir at the moment just seems to be a waste of a subs spot

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Mmmmmmmmmm.

But he's the bacteria on the sht on the bottom of World Class Webb's shoe.

This is true, and he probably isn't fit to lace up Connor Murray's boots either, but what about as 3rd choice?

Let's be clear, I wouldn't pick him. Aaron Smith can pop to the public loos for a quickie in the time it takes Frodo to pass the ball from the base of the ruck.

I think that had he stayed injury free and Scotland had ended up playing well against England, he probably would have gone 3rd choice and played midweek (as captain too possibly).

If's and buts though.

He'll be more useful in Oz though considering Townsend will be 'new' to the set up etc.

I still think it's a tough call for Toonie though. Ali Price has been an outstanding deputy.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Mmmmmmmmmm.

But he's the bacteria on the sht on the bottom of World Class Webb's shoe.

This is true, and he probably isn't fit to lace up Connor Murray's boots either, but what about as 3rd choice?

Let's be clear, I wouldn't pick him. Aaron Smith can pop to the public loos for a quickie in the time it takes Frodo to pass the ball from the base of the ruck.

Let me get this right...

You're calling Frodo ponderous and I've been singing Tim Visser's praises for a Six Nations where he showed an appetite for "meeting them aff the bus". (Well at least by his standards, he'll never be the new Chunk).

Is this the end of days? Or is the Mod Boy not here to remind us of our given roles?

I think Laidlaw would be a good call for midweek captain

jimbopip wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Mmmmmmmmmm.

But he's the bacteria on the sht on the bottom of World Class Webb's shoe.

This is true, and he probably isn't fit to lace up Connor Murray's boots either, but what about as 3rd choice?

Let's be clear, I wouldn't pick him. Aaron Smith can pop to the public loos for a quickie in the time it takes Frodo to pass the ball from the base of the ruck.

Let me get this right...

You're calling Frodo ponderous and I've been singing Tim Visser's praises for a Six Nations where he showed an appetite for "meeting them aff the bus". (Well at least by his standards, he'll never be the new Chunk).

Is this the end of days? Or is the Mod Boy not here to remind us of our given roles?

The Scottish Parliament voted to take Scotland out of every single market we're currently in yesterday, on the very same day the leader of the free world repealed the entire Obama clean air program because he doesn't understand science and only this morning May signed the Article 50 letter to ensure our Parliament, Civil Service, currency and economy descend into utter chaos for the foreseeable future.

I might buy a Glasgow season ticket, just to complete the picture.

I am comfortable however blaming Mod Boy for all of the above.

Back from injury on the road he did claw,
Foot healing better and quicker for Laidlaw.
Scotland's captain, his heart is true,
quick service from a breakdown sadly all too few.
A thinker and a leader of that, no doubt,
almost certainly a player of immense clout.
A fantastic kicker from here there or anywhere,
an excellent player in bad weather or fair.
He has his flaws, he'd be the first to admit,
and very few games has his speed been a hit.
A player of passion and heart so pure,
even though his service is poor.
A borders lad, and the Scottish Captain,
Vern's impeccable standards he will maintain!

good effort Radge

Also, stop calling RDW Mod Boy. He is Admin Boy!

Question, anyone else not realise that paying up front for their season pass as opposed to direct debit meant that unlike every previous year you wouldn't be given a window to renew your seats

Seems strange that the payment method would affect the terms of the ticket, especially that the 'up front' option would be more onerous.

Have you been told this by the SRU ticket folks?

IanBru wrote:Seems strange that the payment method would affect the terms of the ticket, especially that the 'up front' option would be more onerous.

Have you been told this by the SRU ticket folks?

Yep. Seats are gone.
I mean looking back through emails they did mention it prior, but jeeze got so used to the pattern of paying up front.
WHY WOULD THEY CHANGE IT!?!?

GLove39 wrote:

IanBru wrote:Seems strange that the payment method would affect the terms of the ticket, especially that the 'up front' option would be more onerous.

Have you been told this by the SRU ticket folks?

Yep. Seats are gone.
I mean looking back through emails they did mention it prior, but jeeze got so used to the pattern of paying up front.
WHY WOULD THEY CHANGE IT!?!?

With the way Edinburgh play - is that not a blessing

R!skysports wrote:

GLove39 wrote:

IanBru wrote:Seems strange that the payment method would affect the terms of the ticket, especially that the 'up front' option would be more onerous.

Have you been told this by the SRU ticket folks?

Yep. Seats are gone.
I mean looking back through emails they did mention it prior, but jeeze got so used to the pattern of paying up front.
WHY WOULD THEY CHANGE IT!?!?

With the way Edinburgh play - is that not a blessing

We're talking Scotland season passes here

GLove39 wrote:

R!skysports wrote:

GLove39 wrote:

IanBru wrote:Seems strange that the payment method would affect the terms of the ticket, especially that the 'up front' option would be more onerous.

Have you been told this by the SRU ticket folks?

Yep. Seats are gone.
I mean looking back through emails they did mention it prior, but jeeze got so used to the pattern of paying up front.
WHY WOULD THEY CHANGE IT!?!?

With the way Edinburgh play - is that not a blessing

We're talking Scotland season passes here

That's really annoying. East Lothian Council fined me £60 for parking my car on a sand dune on Sunday.

Ahhh the parking charges along the coast! Absolute great effort from East Lothian council to chase people away from visiting and spending money in the county!

Places East Lothian council will not let people park
outside shops
In beaches along the coast
High Streets
Even car parks now have pay and display meters in them!

places where you can park
outside residents houses

Go East Lothian council!

Brown isn't goin to be first choice anything

George, Best Owens to go with Hartley on standby

Webb, Murray and Youngs to go with Care on standby

Jones - maybe, but with Farrell, Joseph, Davies and Henshaw going and with Ringrose as back up you have Scott Williams in country on tour I'd suggest he'd get the nod first

Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

Gwlad has spoken. Bad luck Scotsfolk

Cyril wrote:Gwlad has spoken. Bad luck Scotsfolk

Cyril has endorsed it so it must be right

I'll be interested to see what Townsend brings to Scotland's summer tour. He will have a decent squad to work with I'd expect, do we want to see him try and blood new guys via the toonie tombola? Or do we want him to try and keep the squad and team consistent and build on what Cotter has started?

Gwlad wrote:Brown isn't goin to be first choice anything

George, Best Owens to go with Hartley on standby

Webb, Murray and Youngs to go with Care on standby

Jones - maybe, but with Farrell, Joseph, Davies and Henshaw going and with Ringrose as back up you have Scott Williams in country on tour I'd suggest he'd get the nod first

Jones is way better than Davies and Williams

Davies - Played 64 Tries 13 = 20pc
Williams - Played 46 Tries 10 = 22pc
Jones - Played 8 Tries 4 = 50pc

Jones is more than double as effective as the 2 welsh lads combined

Now now alive, don't go bringing facts into the argument!

The Welsh boys are morally better so they're the ones who'll be chosen! Also remember that Scott Williams will be "in the country on tour" (meaning he'll be in the pacific islands so he'll be able to get there) so the fact that Huw Jones will be in Sydney which is closer to NZ is irrelevant!

tigertattie wrote:Now now alive, don't go bringing facts into the argument!

The Welsh boys are morally better so they're the ones who'll be chosen!  Also remember that Scott Williams will be "in the country on tour" (meaning he'll be in the pacific islands so he'll be able to get there) so the fact that Huw Jones will be in Sydney which is closer to NZ is irrelevant!

Jones will be in the hospital. I was trying not to feed the troll, but hey bash on!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Now now alive, don't go bringing facts into the argument!

The Welsh boys are morally better so they're the ones who'll be chosen!  Also remember that Scott Williams will be "in the country on tour" (meaning he'll be in the pacific islands so he'll be able to get there) so the fact that Huw Jones will be in Sydney which is closer to NZ is irrelevant!

Jones will be in the hospital. I was trying not to feed the troll, but hey bash on!

He will still have more of a chance at scoring tries than the Welsh



(only joking)

Given the general lack of form of Hoyland and the possible Lions inclusion of Seymour and maybe even Maitland (given Gatland picked him the last time), do we think there might be a possible call up for Josh Bassett for the tour or even Johnny MacNicholl (if he hasn't contractually committed to Wales)? Lee Jones would obviously hope to be recalled given his club form but is he a realistic international option?

Josh Bassett would certainly be worth a look at. He has held his own in the stellar Wasps back line this season, which is no mean feet.

Our depth on the wing is not as deep as you might imagine, with Hoyland not really showing much this year. Lee Jones has played well for Glasgow, but I am not really sure that he is a realistic international option. Hughes really has to start holding down a regular Glasgow starting spot first as well before he steps up.

As you say, a lot will depend on who, if anyone goes on the Lions tour. It is not inconceivable that Hogg, Seymour and Maitland could all go.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

BigGee wrote:Josh Bassett would certainly be worth a look at. He has held his own in the stellar Wasps back line this season, which is no mean feet.

Our depth on the wing is not as deep as you might imagine, with Hoyland not really showing much this year. Lee Jones has played well for Glasgow, but I am not really sure that he is a realistic international option. Hughes really has to start holding down a regular Glasgow starting spot first as well before he steps up.

As you say, a lot will depend on who, if anyone goes on the Lions tour. It is not inconceivable that Hogg, Seymour and Maitland could all go.

I think wing is fast becoming a problem position personally. We have three international standard wingers in Seymour, Maitland and Visser, and that's it. There's then a pretty big gap to the next group, which basically comprises Hughes, Jones, Hoyland and Brown. Jones is the form man, but he'll have unhappy memories of the Scotland jersey, and possibly still has nightmares about Julien Malzieu. Italy may well not have a stellar XV, but there isn't much wrong with Venditti, Benvenuti and, in particular, Campagnaro.

I like Hughes, and he'd do a job, but he needs more rugby at Glasgow, and isn't really good enough for the Glagsow 1st XV (I'd have him behind Sarto and Seymour).

Brown is a steady eddie, but an international winger should be an exciting player capable of getting the crowd to its feet. Brown will never be that, plus his career strike rate doesn't suggest to me that he can make the next step up.

I had high hopes of Hoyland (he's a very exciting player when on his game), but frankly no-one has impressed in an Edinburgh jersey this season, with the notable exceptions of Ben Toolis and Hamish Watson.

I think if Toonie is playing the long game he'll go with Hoyland in the summer, but if it's a form call then it must be Jones.

I haven't seen Bassett play, so I won't "do a Guscott" and provide comment regardless.

Still think Shlong could be called upon to do a job over the summer!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

I don't advise people from Dundee, West Dumbartonshire, North Lanarkshire or Glasgow......

tigertattie wrote:Still think Shlong could be called upon to do a job over the summer!

Not unless it's to make a particular type of film.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

I don't advise people from Dundee, West Dumbartonshire, North Lanarkshire or Glasgow......

Quite right, the denizens of the 45 areas of Scotland are not worthy of assistance

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

I don't advise people from Dundee, West Dumbartonshire, North Lanarkshire or Glasgow......

Quite right, the denizens of the 45 areas of Scotland are not worthy of assistance

I'm more concerned that they'll sabotage the case by failing to act in their own interests. They have form.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

I don't advise people from Dundee, West Dumbartonshire, North Lanarkshire or Glasgow......

I presume that's because they find it hard to find the first growth Bordeaux classics which the small print in your mandate letter insists you are provided with regularly and free of charge.

George Carlin wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Fes be grateful your not that Lass from Dundee who is parting with nearly 20k

That did make me laugh, particularly as it was in Dundee, a well known SNP stronghold. It is, of course, the SNP's fault for squeezing local authority budgets to death. It allows them to say how progressive they are, whilst all the bad stuff that then happens as a result can be blamed on local councils.

Still, you'd have thought she'd have taken solid legal advice whilst all the parking fines were piling up!

shameless advertising by FES legal services...

I don't advise people from Dundee, West Dumbartonshire, North Lanarkshire or Glasgow......

I presume that's because they find it hard to find the first growth Bordeaux classics which the small print in your mandate letter insists you are provided with regularly and free of charge.

Well I personally find it impossible to draft contracts without a bottle of chateauneuf du pape by my side, a mature stilton, roaring log fire, two springers at my feet and the smell of roast pheasant emanating from the AGA. I consider all of these to be reasonable out of pocket expenses.